S
FELLOWSHIP AND SHARING THE FAITH
Christianity is to be lived out in the context of community. God has created us so that we are not self-sufficient. He gives us all spiritual gifts that are to be shared in the context of the Christian community. We all need the contributions that other members of the church provide. The purpose of these spiritual gifts is mutual edification, and strengthening of the whole body. We also need the accountability that the local church provides.
The church aids us in growing in maturity (Ephesians 4:11-16). We are commanded to be a part of a local fellowship, so it is a matter of obedience to Christ (Hebrews 10:25). Being part of a local church is assumed by Scripture, as we are commanded to participate in baptism and communion. We need the leadership, mutual encouragement and accountability that is part of a healthy church relationship.
How do we decide which fellowship to belong to?
Five factors are very important and should be used to choose a fellowship.
One, when visiting a fellowship, do they love each other? Jesus Christ said that love is how you will know that they are his disciples (John 13:35).
Two, is sound doctrine taught there? It is very important to serve under a spiritual leader who teaches sound doctrine. Many churches focus on peripheral, questionable issues and do not focus on the central message of the gospel, which is about Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for us (1 Corinthians 15:1-5). Christian churches vary a lot in terms of doctrinal soundness.
Three, if you have a seeking friend that you would invite to services, would he likely hear a sound presentation of the gospel message?
Four, is the leadership loving and trustworthy? When a member falls into sin, sometimes church discipline is needed as a motivator to return to a good relationship with Christ. Would you trust that leader to apply such church discipline fairly and lovingly?
Five, what is the focus of the church? Is it on the organization itself, or is it on reaching the lost? Are they constantly pushing a financial agenda that reflects bad priorities? Is the leadership living in splendor while poorer members barely have their needs met? These are all signs that their focus is ungodly.
Regarding sound doctrine, look for a church that holds orthodox positions on essential Christian doctrines. Essential Christian doctrines are basic teachings of the Church. Ask the pastor if the church affirms the core doctrines below. If he doesn’t affirm one or more of them , consider a different church.
Following are a list of core Christian doctrines and a brief description of each:
1. Inspiration of Scripture - Scripture is inerrant and inspired by the Holy Spirit, and is the sole basis for faith
2. Triune nature of God (Trinity) – God is one Being yet three Persons; Father, Son and Holy Spirit
3. Virgin birth Jesus was born to the virgin Mary through the operation of the Holy Spirit
4. Deity of Christ – Christ existed eternally as one of the three Persons of the Trinity
5. Original sin – As a result of Adam’s sin in the garden of Eden, mankind inherits a sinful nature
6. Substitutionary atonement – Christ died on behalf of the believer to pay the penalty for the individual sins of the believer
7. Justification by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone – Justification, or being made righteous in God’s sight, is accomplished by placing your faith in Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrifice on the cross for the sins of the believer
8. Bodily resurrection – Christ was resurrected bodily after his death, receiving a glorified, incorruptible body, and believers will receive a similar body in the resurrection at Christ’s return
View your fellowship to be an investment of your time and resources. You may spend many years there and you want to be in a place where you are growing, not a poor environment that will cause you to feel spiritually starved. Your relationship with your local fellowship will be a strong factor in how mature you are as a Christian.
No church is perfect. Churches are composed of people, and people make mistakes and sometimes offend each other. The old saying is that if you find a perfect church; don’t join it, because it won’t be perfect anymore. The church is a hospital for sinners and not a museum for saints.
Ensure that use of finances within your local fellowship reflects godly priorities. If you feel like your offerings are being used incorrectly, then perhaps it’s not the best place to fellowship. You should be in line with the church’s use of funds.
Some belong to internet fellowships that have only an online presence. Such fellowship is ok for supplementary purposes, and also in extreme circumstances such as those who are unable physically to fellowship. Internet fellowship would be better than nothing for a separated brother or sister in Christ who lives in a persecuted, non-Christian country. However, internet fellowship should not be the main outlet for a believer’s fellowship. There is something about face-to-face fellowship that is essential. In addition, accountability is a necessity for us, and internet fellowships simply do not meet our needs in this regard.
Many individuals have doctrinal or relationship issues with a local fellowship that they refuse to resolve. However, God is not fooled by our attempts to deceive ourselves in this way, and I don’t think the fellowship will be productive.
What is the mission of the church? One mission of the local church is to be the agent of maturity in the Christian’s life.
Another mission of the church is to share the faith. All Christians, and the local church, need to be focused on the gospel message (Matthew 9:37-38, Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8, Romans 10:11-15, Philemon 6).
We weren’t saved to hide ourselves away and keep ourselves from others. We are meant to be salt and light to a sinful and dying world…a positive influence (Matthew 5:13-16). We are given a purpose by God, which is sharing the faith. This sharing is performed in different ways by different people given their circumstances. Some evangelize through having caring relationships with others where they are gently led to Christ. Some evangelize through street preaching. There are a number of ways that the gospel message can be shared by us all. Our family and our children should be considered our primary mission field, if we have families.
Christianity is to be lived out in the context of community. God has created us so that we are not self-sufficient. He gives us all spiritual gifts that are to be shared in the context of the Christian community. We all need the contributions that other members of the church provide. The purpose of these spiritual gifts is mutual edification, and strengthening of the whole body. We also need the accountability that the local church provides.
The church aids us in growing in maturity (Ephesians 4:11-16). We are commanded to be a part of a local fellowship, so it is a matter of obedience to Christ (Hebrews 10:25). Being part of a local church is assumed by Scripture, as we are commanded to participate in baptism and communion. We need the leadership, mutual encouragement and accountability that is part of a healthy church relationship.
How do we decide which fellowship to belong to?
Five factors are very important and should be used to choose a fellowship.
One, when visiting a fellowship, do they love each other? Jesus Christ said that love is how you will know that they are his disciples (John 13:35).
Two, is sound doctrine taught there? It is very important to serve under a spiritual leader who teaches sound doctrine. Many churches focus on peripheral, questionable issues and do not focus on the central message of the gospel, which is about Jesus Christ and his sacrifice for us (1 Corinthians 15:1-5). Christian churches vary a lot in terms of doctrinal soundness.
Three, if you have a seeking friend that you would invite to services, would he likely hear a sound presentation of the gospel message?
Four, is the leadership loving and trustworthy? When a member falls into sin, sometimes church discipline is needed as a motivator to return to a good relationship with Christ. Would you trust that leader to apply such church discipline fairly and lovingly?
Five, what is the focus of the church? Is it on the organization itself, or is it on reaching the lost? Are they constantly pushing a financial agenda that reflects bad priorities? Is the leadership living in splendor while poorer members barely have their needs met? These are all signs that their focus is ungodly.
Regarding sound doctrine, look for a church that holds orthodox positions on essential Christian doctrines. Essential Christian doctrines are basic teachings of the Church. Ask the pastor if the church affirms the core doctrines below. If he doesn’t affirm one or more of them , consider a different church.
Following are a list of core Christian doctrines and a brief description of each:
1. Inspiration of Scripture - Scripture is inerrant and inspired by the Holy Spirit, and is the sole basis for faith
2. Triune nature of God (Trinity) – God is one Being yet three Persons; Father, Son and Holy Spirit
3. Virgin birth Jesus was born to the virgin Mary through the operation of the Holy Spirit
4. Deity of Christ – Christ existed eternally as one of the three Persons of the Trinity
5. Original sin – As a result of Adam’s sin in the garden of Eden, mankind inherits a sinful nature
6. Substitutionary atonement – Christ died on behalf of the believer to pay the penalty for the individual sins of the believer
7. Justification by grace alone through faith alone in Jesus Christ alone – Justification, or being made righteous in God’s sight, is accomplished by placing your faith in Jesus Christ and his atoning sacrifice on the cross for the sins of the believer
8. Bodily resurrection – Christ was resurrected bodily after his death, receiving a glorified, incorruptible body, and believers will receive a similar body in the resurrection at Christ’s return
View your fellowship to be an investment of your time and resources. You may spend many years there and you want to be in a place where you are growing, not a poor environment that will cause you to feel spiritually starved. Your relationship with your local fellowship will be a strong factor in how mature you are as a Christian.
No church is perfect. Churches are composed of people, and people make mistakes and sometimes offend each other. The old saying is that if you find a perfect church; don’t join it, because it won’t be perfect anymore. The church is a hospital for sinners and not a museum for saints.
Ensure that use of finances within your local fellowship reflects godly priorities. If you feel like your offerings are being used incorrectly, then perhaps it’s not the best place to fellowship. You should be in line with the church’s use of funds.
Some belong to internet fellowships that have only an online presence. Such fellowship is ok for supplementary purposes, and also in extreme circumstances such as those who are unable physically to fellowship. Internet fellowship would be better than nothing for a separated brother or sister in Christ who lives in a persecuted, non-Christian country. However, internet fellowship should not be the main outlet for a believer’s fellowship. There is something about face-to-face fellowship that is essential. In addition, accountability is a necessity for us, and internet fellowships simply do not meet our needs in this regard.
Many individuals have doctrinal or relationship issues with a local fellowship that they refuse to resolve. However, God is not fooled by our attempts to deceive ourselves in this way, and I don’t think the fellowship will be productive.
What is the mission of the church? One mission of the local church is to be the agent of maturity in the Christian’s life.
Another mission of the church is to share the faith. All Christians, and the local church, need to be focused on the gospel message (Matthew 9:37-38, Matthew 28:19-20, Acts 1:8, Romans 10:11-15, Philemon 6).
We weren’t saved to hide ourselves away and keep ourselves from others. We are meant to be salt and light to a sinful and dying world…a positive influence (Matthew 5:13-16). We are given a purpose by God, which is sharing the faith. This sharing is performed in different ways by different people given their circumstances. Some evangelize through having caring relationships with others where they are gently led to Christ. Some evangelize through street preaching. There are a number of ways that the gospel message can be shared by us all. Our family and our children should be considered our primary mission field, if we have families.